I have a '96 Civic EX coupe, D16Y8, with a substantial oil leak coming down the side of the sump between the sump and the tranny. This is pretty much definitely the rear main seal, right?

In addition to replacing the seal, are there other problems, other than age, I should be looking for that may have damaged the seal? Such as a broken engine mount that might allow flex between the engine and the transmission?

Is a bad rear main seal often indicative of internal engine problems such as worn main bearings that may make replacing the seal pointless?

Thanks!

 

no very easy..... oil seals just go bad over time... its not a huge deal. worst part is labor getting to these oil seals. the 3 worst seals is the rear main, and the front two cam and crank oil seals.... thats why when i have those parts exposed doing other work i go ahead and replace them if in doubt!

just be sure if your replacing the seal then you should put me grese on the seal andmake sure you put it on straight when pushing/hammering it in.
not to difficult.

 

Before replacing the rear main seal, make sure to rule out oil leaks from the oil pan gasket, the distributor, and the valve cover.

 

Thanks guys! Advice greatly appreciated.

 

I just found the front camshaft seal is leaking as well. This is particularly aggravating because I replaced the timing belt less than a year ago.

Here's my question: is it possible I might have overtensioned the timing belt, putting excessive side load on the crankshaft and causing the seal leaks as well as potential internal problems?

If not, and it's just age, your advice above about replacing whenever exposed really hits home!

 

ditto

make sure that is what is leaking

took mine to two different mechanics and they both said it was the main seal

took it to the dealer and it ended up being the vtec solenoid replaced that no more leaks.
apparently it was leaking on the bottom or something and running down the engine.

 

Like said above I was going to add make sure to check the vtec solenoid